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The 2023-2024 Flagpole Guide To Athens, GA

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Athens’ many annual events include festivals, parades, fundraisers, sporting events, craft markets and cultural celebrations among other things. Here are some long-standing favorites to look forward to each year. Check Flagpole’s weekly calendar in print and at flagpole.com for a comprehensive community events roundup.

UGA Home Football Games 2023 | Dawg fans fill the stadium and overflow to occupy every nearby space with a TV and a tap. Sept. 2 Tennessee-Martin • Sept. 9 Ball State • Sept. 16 South Carolina • Sept. 23 UAB • Oct. 7 Kentucky • Nov. 4 Missouri. georgiadogs.com

Groovy Nights | Sept. 9, 2023 | Get your groove on with Project Safe for a ‘70s vs. ‘80s lip sync battle at the VFW. project-safe.org

Pride Fest | Sept. 30, 2023 | Welcoming and inclusive to all, this LGBTQIA+ community celebration also highlights local resources and activities. athenspride.org

North Georgia Folk Festival | Oct. 7, 2023 | Enjoy a day of outstanding folk music at sprawling Sandy Creek Park. athensfolk.org

Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard | Oct. 15, 2023 | Rain or shine, show off your pup’s best Halloween attire. barkonboulevard.com

PorchFest | Oct. 15, 2023 | The Athens music scene kicks up on front porches all over Athens’ walkable intown neighborhoods for a tuneful afternoon/evening ramble. historicathens.com

AthHalf | Oct. 21–22, 2023 | AthFest Educates’ half-marathon and 5K highlights live music along its meandering course and is designed to showcase Athens and UGA. athhalf.com

Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle | Oct. 28, 2023 | Don your best costume and howl at the moon on Halloween weekend. Kids events, music and more. wildrumpus.org

Downtown Parade of Lights | Dec. 7, 2023 | Floats, marching bands and Santa Claus make their way through downtown and wind up at City Hall for a tree-lighting ceremony. athensclarkecounty.com

Indie South Fair | Dec. 9–10, 2023 | This large outdoor market of handcrafted and functional art has several other events throughout the year. theindiesouth.com

MLK Day Parade and Music Fest | Jan. 15, 2024 | The festival and the parade through downtown are sponsored by the Athens Anti-discrimination Movement and include music, dance, speeches and vendors. aadmovement.org

Fluke Mini-Comics and Zine Festival | March, 2024 | Comic and zine creators (lots of them) get together annually to share and sell their stuff at the 40 Watt Club. flukeathens.com

Dancing with the Athens Stars | Mar. 16, 2024 | Local celebrities work hard with their paired dancers for Project Safe at the Classic Center. project-safe.org

Boybutante Ball | April 2024 | A glamorous tradition at the 40 Watt features drag queens and kings raising funds for the Boybutante AIDS Foundation. boybutante.org

International Street Festival | April 2024 | Student and community groups present a day of music, art, food and more to showcase cultures from around the world. isl.uga.edu

G-Day Game | Apr. 13, 2024 | UGA’s free spring scrimmage provides fans a first look at next year’s football team. georgiadogs.com

Athens Beer Fest | Apr. 14, 2024 | Enthusiasts sample craft beer from Athens and around the region at this event carrying on the legacy of the original Classic City Brew Fest. classiccenter.com/Athens-Beer-Fest

Twilight Criterium | Apr. 26–27, 2024 | This world-class bicycle race draws thousands downtown and includes lots of associated activities. athenstwilight.com

Indie South Fair | May 4–5, 2024 | This large outdoor market of handcrafted and functional art has several other events throughout the year. theindiesouth.com

Winterville Marigold Festival | May 11, 2024 | Music, food, arts and a day of fun for all ages in a quirky, cool pocket of Clarke County. marigoldfestival.com

Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food Festival | June 2024 | Music, food and fellowship at Hull and Washington streets downtown, celebrating local black culture and commerce. hotcornerathens.weebly.com

Pride Parade | June 2024 | Taking place in the streets of downtown Athens, this newer celebration will return with floats, music, vendors and food. athenspride.org/parade

AthFest Music and Arts Festival | June 21–23, 2024 | Local and regional bands play the free outdoor stages located in downtown Athens. There’s also an artist market, kids activities, food and drink and more. athfest.com

Star-Spangled Classic | June 29, 2024 | Celebrate American independence with a fireworks display launched from a location to be announced. accgov.com